In the aftermath of World War I and the Russian Revolution of 1917, the nature, aims and trajectories of the Labour parties of Europe were fundamentally altered and transformed. In this compelling and thoughtful analysis of the Labour parties of Britain and Norway, David Redvaldsen offers an insight into the successes and failures of these two parties as they faced the challenges of the economic and political situation of the interwar era and their relentless pursuit of power. Redvaldsen asks what made each party successful, and by proposing that the Labour Party of Norway was the more successful of the two, draws important conclusions that have resonance for the study of political parties in general. It will thus be of utmost relevance not only to students and researchers of left-wing politics, but also to those interested in the nature of the pursuit of power itself in the crucial interwar period.

Analyzes why Left Parties enter national government, what they do when they get there and what effect this has on them. Alongside two comparative chapters, this book features detailed case-studies of European Left Parties in government.

This book examines Britain and Norway in Europe from 1945 through to the former's departure from the European Union in 2020. It compares their European relations and investigates their bilateral relationship within the contexts of security, trade and, above all, European integration. Britain and Norway are outsiders in Europe, and they have both been sceptical of the continental federalist approach to European integration. The question of membership itself has been highly controversial in both countries: the public has been divided on the issue; it has plagued political parties and governments; and prime ministers have resigned over European issues. This book explores why these countries have struggled so deeply with the idea of Europe since 1945, and looks ahead to how the relationship between Britain and Norway might develop after Brexit.

An insightful and humorous account of the author's first year in Norway as a foreigner. From Easter to summer holidays and Christmas, it dives deeply into Norwegian culture, language and people.

Through a detailed examination of the party's post-war development, this book outlines how nostalgia has shaped the party's trajectory. It argues that Labour's nostalgically-informed identity has determined the extent to which the party has been able to respond effectively to the changing nature of Britain.

Claims of inter-state ‘specialness’ are commonplace in international politics. But how do some relationships between states come to be seen and categorized as ‘special’ in the first place? And what impact, if any, do recurring public representations of specialness have on states’ political and diplomatic interaction? While much scholarly work exists on alleged instances of special relationships, and on inter-state cooperation and alliances more generally, little systematic and theory informed research has been conducted on how special relationships evolve and unfold in practice. This book offers such a comprehensive study. Theorizing inter-state relations as ongoing social processes, it makes the case for approaching special relationships as constituted and upheld through linguistic representations and bilateral interaction practices. Haugevik explores this claim through an in-depth study of how the bilateral relationship most frequently referred to as ‘special’ – the US-British – has unfolded over the last seventy years. This analysis is complemented with a study of Britain’s relationship with a more junior partner, Norway, during the same period. The book offers an original take on inter-state relations and diplomacy during the Cold War and after, and develops an analytical framework for understanding why some state relationships maintain their status as ‘special’, while others end up as ‘benignly neglected’ ones.

In November 1994 the Norwegian electorate rejected membership of the European Union. Professor Archer examines the background to this decision both in terms of an expression of interests within Norway and in terms of national feeling. He then investigates the subsequent interaction between Norway and the EU through the European Economic Area (EEA) - which allowed Norway access to the EU's markets; the Schengen agreement - dealing with justice and border matters and the Common Foreign and Security Policy. It includes discussion of policies that have had a particular effect on Norway, such as those of the gas directive, fisheries and the sale of alcohol and looks at how Norway has adapted itself to EU policy, noting the cases where the country has dug in its heels and when it has been acquiescent. This book will appeal to students and researchers with an interest in European integration and Nordic studies in general.

After the German occupation of 1940, Britain was forced to reassess its relationship with Norway, a country largely on the periphery of the main theatres of the Second World War. Christopher Mann examines British military policy towards Norway, concentrating on the commando raids, deception planning and naval operations.

The Rough Guide to Norway covers everything from urbane Oslo to the remote Arctic town of Tromso and from the idyllic off-shore islands to the awe-inspiring fjords. It contains a 24 page, full-colour photographic introduction, previewing the country's highlights as chosen by the author.